The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh (AEB), the only professional platform of nationalist-minded engineers in the country, organized a discussion marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day 2025 on Thursday evening at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Dhaka.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included AEB Acting President and former secretary Engineer ANH Akhter Hossain, AEB Chief Adviser and BNP Media Cell Convener Professor Dr Mowdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, BNP Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bokul, and “Amra BNP Poribar” Convener Atikur Rahman Ruman.
Former MP and AEB Convener Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin presided over the event. Engineer Kazi Abul Kashem delivered the welcome address, while Engineers Shamim Rabbi Sonchoy and Shafiul Azam Fahim jointly conducted the session.
In his remarks, Advocate Rizvi said that although Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971, “true freedom” came through the spirit of the November 7 uprising.
“The Bakshal system distorted the people’s identity and curtailed democracy,” Rizvi said. “But the National Revolution and Solidarity of 1975 restored sovereignty, democracy, and people’s self-determination under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.”
He added that Ziaur Rahman was “the architect of modern Bangladesh,” who introduced agricultural mechanization, ensured food self-sufficiency, and laid the foundation of national industrialization. “Even today, Sheikh Hasina cannot erase Zia’s legacy — because Bangladeshi nationalism remains deeply rooted in the people’s hearts,” he said.
Speaking as a special guest, Engineer ANH Akhter Hossain said that “while independence was achieved in 1971, the people could not taste real freedom under the Awami League regime.”
“Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman respected the nation’s engineers and used their talents for nation-building,” he said. “When constructing the Teesta Barrage, Zia insisted that Bangladeshi engineers would do the job, not foreigners.”
Professor Dr Mowdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel described BNP as “a humane political party” that always stands by the people during crises.
“November 7 brought true independence for the people,” he said, noting that President Ziaur Rahman was the first to insert ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ in the Constitution of Bangladesh.
He also called on party members and professionals to work in unity ahead of the 2026 national election.
In his presidential address, Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin said that Ziaur Rahman’s leadership was indispensable for Bangladesh’s liberation.
“If Ziaur Rahman had not been born, the country’s independence might never have been achieved,” he said. “Without BNP, Bangladesh would have turned into another Bhutan or Cambodia.”
He further alleged that both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina attempted to “undermine the people’s national identity.”
The discussion was attended by AEB Convener Committee members including Engineer Shoaeb Bashri Hablu and Engineer Helal Uddin Talukder, both members of the convening committee of AEB; Engineer Atikur Rahman, member of the advisory council; Engineer Motahar Hossain, convener of the Media Subcommittee, and Engineer Muhammad Ahsanul Rasel, member secretary; Engineer Aminul Islam, convener of the Hospitality Subcommittee, and Engineer Shaheen Hawlader, member secretary; Engineer KM Asaduzzaman Chunnu, convener of the Publicity and Invitation Subcommittee, and Engineer Golama Mostafa Khan, member secretary; Engineer HM Moinul Islam, convener of the Decoration and Technical Support Subcommittee, and Engineer Robiul Alam Uzzal, member secretary; Engineer Muhammad Kamrul Hasan Khan Saiful, convener of the Discipline Subcommittee, and Engineer SM Faisal Mahmud, member secretary; Hasanuzzaman Siddiqui Mithul, convener of the Reception Subcommittee, and Engineer Abdul Momen Talukder Prince, member secretary; Engineer Alimul Bahar Ripon, convener of the Finance Subcommittee, Engineer Monsur Ahmed, member secretary, and Engineer Mahabub Alam, joint convener, along with other members of various subcommittees.
Engineers from across the country took part in the event, recalling the historical significance of November 7 and the contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to national development and sovereignty.
Speakers at the end of the program emphasized unity among nationalist professionals and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening democracy and protecting the dignity of engineers in Bangladesh.
